Surnames and Family Research Forum Archive

HARRIS, Washington - Halifax Cnty VA

Hello again. I posted a message on my GGGGrandparents a moment ago, now I need a tidbit of information on my GGGrandfather, the son of my GGGGrandparents. His name is Washington Harris, born about 1850. I received a picture of him in July, he looks like a very precious little thing, a bit round and short. Anyway, obviously a black man in my eyes. Well, I have been searching in the 1870 census for my GGGrandfather. My closest match is a WHITE, Washington Rogers, married to an Anna - my GGGrandmother's name was Rosanna, and she went by both Rosa and Anna. Washington Harris lives beside another harris family that is listed as black..... and who according to oral history, my ggrandmother had an uncle named Howell. Now, if I look back at my GGgrandfather's parents, they are listed as black, however in the 1910 census Eliza Harris, her son and the family is listed as Mulatto. Now, I am trying to put the figurative "nail in the coffin" that this 1910 Eliza Harris is my Washington Harris's mother. But if that is the case, that could provide a hint that perhaps my Washington Harris was passing for white..... if this is my Washington Harris. The census that I am referencing is the Halifax County, VA. Mt Carmel Township. Page 7 of 123. Again, what is my clue to determin if the Black and White Washington Harris's are one inthe same.